Heat regulator for ovens and the like



Feb. 2, 1937. w. w. sAcKETT y 2,059,273

` HEAT REGULATOR FOR OVENS AND THE LIKE l Filed Dec. 14, 193;. 2Sheets-Sheel'l 1 y /b/dff 5415@ Feb. 2, 1937. w. w. sAcKETT HEATREGULATOR FOR OVENS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 aM an.. W

'flllllllII/ Patented Feb. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEATREGULATOR FOR OVEN S AND THE LIKE Application December 14, 1931, SerialNo. 580,819

18 Claims.

My invention relates to heat regulators for gas ovens and the like, andcontemplates an improvement which will enable the thermal sensitivedevice of the regulator to pass, for example, through the side wall ofthe oven and into position indicative of the prevailing temperaturewithin the oven, and in which the selecting device is operable from thefront of the control panel of the range without positioning the entireselecting dial mechanism externally of that panel and without disposingthe axis of the dial at right angles to the axis of the selectingspindle which passes through the oven wall and cooperates with thethermal sensitive device.

In the use of gas ranges, the side wall of the oven is sometimes sodisposed that the selecting dial either cannot be disposed on the outerend of the spindle which cooperates with the thermal sensitive device,or is not conveniently accessible when so disposed. It also frequentlyis not desirable to dispose the axis of the selecting device at rightangles to the axis of the spindle which cooperates With the thermalsensitive device, and where the oven is of the cabinet type or has afront control panel, frequently it is not desirable to have the entireselecting dial mechanism outside of that panel.

My present invention provides a regulating device in which the axis ofthe dial may be positioned generally parallel to the axis of the spindlewhich cooperates with the thermal sensitive device and in offsetrelation with respect thereto. This enables passing the thermalsensitive device of the regulator through the wall of the oven and intoposition indicative of the prevailing temperature Within the oven and atthe same time enables disposition of the selecting dial in proximity tothe front of the range for access therefrom.

My invention further provides a device in which the selecting dial andother parts may be substantially completely concealed, and. in theillustrated embodiment the` dial is of the drum type provided on itsperiphery with the linger piece for manipulating the same, only aportion of which finger piece need be exposed through an opening in thecontrol panel, the major portion of the dial and the other parts beingadapted to be concealed behind that panel to presentl a pleasing andfinished appearance.

Another feature of my present invention resides in the adaptability ofthe selecting device for positioning in different positions with respectto the thermal sensitive device, and particularly for disposition at thefront of the range With the thermal sensitive device applied to a lefthand, right hand or other oven arrangement.

My invention still further provides a device' of this sort comprising aselecting device, thermal sensitive device and control device which maybe 5 assembled in precorrelated relation and installed as a unitaryassembly.

I have referred to passing the thermal sensitive device of the regulatorthrough the side wall of the oven and to positioning of: the selectingdial 10 adjacent the control panel at the front of the range, and Ishall describe hereinafter in connection with the drawings a device soinstalled, but it is to be understood that the device is not limited tothis? particular use or this particular 15 manner of installation butmay be applied as suitable or desired.

In order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner ofconstructing and operating a device in accordance with my presentinvention, 20 I shall now describe in connection with the accompanyingdrawings certain embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a cabinet type 25 gas range, showingan embodiment of the present invention in connection therewith;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken through the axis of the selectingdial and through the axis of the spindle which cooperates with the 30thermal sensitive device subsantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 3 3 ofFigure 2;

Figure 4 is a view partially in section and par- 35 tially in elevationand taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2, showing a modificationof the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the reference nu- 40 meral Ill indicates inits entirety a gas range of the cabinet type having an oven II. The ovenII has a door I Ia provided with a suitable handle IIb. The range I0 hasa front control panel IIIa and valves I2 are positioned along this panelfor 45 the purpose of controlling the ow of fuel to the top burners 13a,as well understood in the art. A hinged cover I3 provides a cover forthe top burners, and this cover is adapted to be swung upwardly andbackwardly about the hinge means I3b along the rear edge of the cover. Avalve I4 also on the control panel Illa controls the flow of fuel to theoven burner which is not shown but is situated beneath the oven Il.

Positioned in the embodiment shown in proximity to the right hand end ofthe panel Illa is the selecting dial l5 provided with temperaturemarkings |5a which are selectively positioned by turning of the dial inregister with the marking |517 on the panel ma. for the purpose ofsetting the regulator to maintain any desired temperature within theoven. The panel Ida has a small slot |5c adjacent the dial l5, and thecircular wall of the dial is positioned so that a small portion thereofis disposed in the slot |50 ush with the outer surface of the panellila. The dial |5 has a dial ring a small portion of the knurled orroughened periphery of which extends slightly through the slot |50 sothat the nger may be frictionally engaged therewith for the purpose ofturning the dial to select the desired temperature to be maintainedwithin the oven. As shown in Figure 4, one end of the slotted opening|5c is enlarged to accommodate the great diameter of the dial ring Ilwith the relatively small portion of the dial I5 exposed at the openingI5c.

The radial wall of the dial l5 is provided centrally with an opening,and the dial ring l'! is provided with a similar registering opening forreceiving the adjacent end of the control stem and the dial and dialring are secured in place upon this stem to turn the same therewith bymeans of friction washers 2|, an abutting iiange 22 and an adjustingscrew 23 which has threaded engagement with the stem 2) and clamps thering and radial wall of dial l5 to the shoulder 22 with one frictionwasher between the head of the screw and the shoulder 22 and the otherbetween the shoulder 22 and the adjacent radial Wall of the dia-l. YIncase of any discrepancy between the setting of the dial and the actionof the device, the screw 23 may be loosened slightly, the dial turnedwith respect to the stem 29 to the desired setting, and the screw 23tightened to bind the dial firmly in set position.

The stem 26 is threaded into the dial bracket 32, which is of angularconfiguration, and has a projecting lug in which is secured a stop pin26. A radially disposed pin 21 secured to the inner surface of thecircular wall of the dial |5 is adapted to contact with the pin 29 tolimit the rotation of the dial member and associated control stem. Withthis arrangement it is possible to rotate the dial member I5 throughalmost a complete rotation, but it is not possible to unthread thecontrol stem 29 from the bracket 24.

The stem 29 has a reduced portion 28 which engages in a slot 3| in alever 29 which is fulcrumed at upon a pin secured at its opposite end inlugs 34 integral with the bracket 32 and spaced to receive the lever 29therebetween. The free end of the reduced portion 23 of the stem 20 hasa head 30 which prevents displacement of the adjacent slotted end of thelever 29. The bracket 32 has an opening 33 providing access to theheaded end 30 of the reduced stem portion 28, which reduced stem portionmay be, if desired,

formed separately from the stem 20 and threaded into the adjacent endthereof. By proper determination of the pitch of the threads securingstem 2B in bracket 32, it is possible to determine the effectivelongitudinal movement of the stem upon rotation of the dial l5, andthis, in turn, makes it possible to determine the amount of movementimparted to lever 29 by turning of the dial.

The opposite end of the lever 29 is provided with an aperture into orthrough which extends the reduced outer end 36 of the spindle oradjusting pin 31. The pin 31 is mounted for axial sliding movement in aboss 38 integral with the bracket 32, and this boss is recessed at 39 toreceive a spring 49 which engages with a washer as shown in Figure 2 andnormally urges the shoulder adjacent the reduced end 36 of the stem 3Tagainst the adjacent end of the lever 29.

The oven wall is indicated at 4| and has an inner lining or insulatingwall 42 spaced inwardly therefrom. This provides an insulating airchamber 43 which is adapted to prevent too rapid transmission of heatfrom the oven to the exterior wall, and the inner wall is formed with arelatively oblong and vertically extending recess 43a opening inwardlyat 43h into the interior of the oven and adapted to receive the thermalsensitive device of the regulator. This recess may be formed by bendingthe inner wall outwardly around the desired recess with the outermargins of the bent out portions of the lining contacting with the outerwall 4| as shown.

The outer wall 4| has an opening 44 through which the integral sleeve 45at the upper end of the housing 46 for the thermal sensitive device ispassed. The housing 46 at the outer end of the integral sleeve portion45 provides shouldered abutment with the outer surface of the outer wall4|, and the housing 46 may be secured to the outer oven wall 4| by meansof stud screws or bolts e? inserted from within the recess 43a. andpassing through openings in the wall 4| and threaded into the housing46.

The housing 46 has integral web-like flanges terminating in ears 49 anda rocker or fulcrum pin 59 extends between these ears and is secured atits opposite ends therein. The hollow boss 38 of the housing 32 isinserted in the integral sleeve 45 of the housing 46, the housing 32 atthe outer end of the boss 38 having shouldered abutment with the housingportion at the outer end of the sleeve 45 and is secured in abuttingContact therewith by means of a nut 5| threaded upon the inner end ofthe boss 38. In this manner the housing 32 with the selecting mechanismcarried thereby is secured to the housing 46 carrying the thermalsensitive device so that these devices with their respective housingsare joined together into a unitary assembly.

The inner end of the pin 3l has a reduced projection 52 which extendsinto an aperture in the upper end of the bi-meta-llic element 53. Thiselement 53 is composed of strips of different metals and having diierentcoemcients of expansion as well understood in the art, with the striphaving the greater coeiiicient of expansion 5 positioned on the lefthand side of the element as viewed in Figure 3.

The bi-metallic element 53 has free abutting contact with the shoulderprovided at the outer end of the pin 37 by the reduced portion 52 thereof, and the same side of the bi-metallic element has free abuttingcontact at its opposite end with a valve stem 54. Between its ends andupon its opposite side the bi-metallic element 53 has free abuttingcontact with the rocker or fulcrum pin i7" 59, which, with the otherfree abutting contacts, effectively constrains the bi-metallic elementand at the same time permits free warping action thereof. The outer endof the valve stem 54 cooperates with a valve member 55 of the mush- Froom type.

The housing or bracket 46 has an enlarged valve body 56 at its lowerend. This valve body 56 is provided with an inlet chamber 51 and anoutlet chamber 53. A bushing member 59 threaded into the housing orbracket 46 provides a guide for the valve stem 54 and permits slidingmovement of the valve stem therein. This bushing is threaded into anopening 60 in the valve body portion 5B and forms a gas-tight closuretherewith. The valve member 55 has an outwardly extending centralenlargement 6I around which the inner end of a generally conical spring62 lits. The opposite and larger end of the spring 62 seats in a recess63 in a removable plug member 64 which is threaded into the valve bodyportion 56.

The valve body 55 has an integral flange forming a separating partitionbetween the inlet and outlet chambers, which ilange has the Valveopening or port 65a and is recessed at 66 to provide a seat for thevalve 55. A gas or other fuel inlet pipe 61 opens into the inlet chamber51 and is connected to the valve housing 56 as by threaded engagementtherewith. This pipe leads from the gas manifold and the gas i'iowtherethrough may be controlled by the control valve I4shown in Figure 1,although it is to be understood that this pipe may be connected with anyother source of fuel supply. A second pipe 88 opens from the outletchamber 58 and has connection with the oven burner. When the controlvalve I4 is open gas flows through the pipe 61 into the inlet chamber51, and assuming the valve 55 is open, past this valve into the outletchamber 5B from which it flows through the pipe 68 to the gas burner orburners for the oven II. It is understood that the form of the valve 55and the other details may vary within the scope of the presentinvention.

A by-pass po-rt B9 is provided through the wall 65 between the inlet andoutlet chambers 51 and 58, and this port is iiared at its outlet end forcooperation with the tapered end of an adjusting screw 10 threaded inthe valve body 56 and provided for the purpose of adjusting theeffective area of the by-pass 69. Threading the adjusting screw 18 intothe valve body decreases the area of the by-pass 69 and this screwprovides an adjustment for limiting the effective area of this by-pass.

The by-pass 69 is provided for the purpose of permitting a predeterminedminimum quantity of gas to ow through the control mechanism when thecontrol valve I4 is opened. This small quantity of gas ignites theburner and assures ignition whenever the valve I4 is opened. The smallflame provided at the burner thereby might be termed a burnermaintenance flame, and it assures ignition of the oven burner withoutthe operation of the control mechanism.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that all of the parts of theregulator may be assembled in pre-correlated relation and installed as aunit assembly and that the thermally responsive device is disposed sothat its action will be indicative of the prevailing temperature in theoven. At the same time the controlling device comprising the valvemechanism in the valve housing 56 is disposed in proximity to the fuelfeed means for convenient connection therethrough and the selectingmechanism is disposed for convenient access from the front of the range.The relationship between the thermally responsive device and thecontrolling device may be fixed in the unit assembly, and thisrelationship may be made and the device accurately gauged at thefactory. The matter of installation therefore becomes a mere matter ofappropriately applying the unit assembly and securing the same in placeby the screws 41.

In operation the dial is turned to bring the appropriate temperaturemarking into register with the marking I5o (Figure l) by frictionallyengaging the finger with the dial ring I1 and turning the same so thatwhen the valve I4 is opened the device maintains in the oven thetemperature at which the dial is set. If the temperature exceeds thatfor which the device is set, the b-i-metallic element 53 warps andpermits the valve 55 to move towards its closed position to reduce thesupply of gas to the oven burner or burners, and if the temperature inthe oven falls below that for which the device is set, the bi-metallicstrip straightens and increases the opening of the valve 55 to increasethe fuel supply to the oven burner. In turning the dial to set thedevice the turning of Vstem 28 produces a longitudinal movement thereofand this rocks the lever 29 about the fulcrum 35 to move the pin 31inwardly or outwardly, depending uponthe direction of rotation. Thismovement of the pin 31 swings the bi-metallic strip 53 about its fulcrumto open the valve 55 therethrough or permits this bi-metallic strip 53to be rocked about its fulcrum under the action of the spring 62y whichthereupon moves the valve 55 toward its seat.

The embodiment of Figure 5 is formed to permit positioning of theselecting dial closer to the oven wall 4I. This lends itself toinstallations where the space is limited. In this embodiment the outerside wall of the oven is indicated at 4I and has the opening 15 forinsertion of the thermal sensitive device within the oven proper orwithin the recess in the double walled construction as disclosed in thepreceding embodiment. An outer facing wall or control panelcorresponding to the panel Illa of Figures 1 to 4 is indicated at 16 andhas an opening 11 in which the dial 18 is tangentially positioned forvisibility of a portion thereof through the opening. The dial 18 has thedial ring or'hand wheel 19 corresponding to the dial ring I1 of theprevious embodiment, and this dial ring may be of bakelite or othersuitable material and is knurled or roughened peripherally to provide asuitable linger grip.

The stem is threaded into the L-shaped bracket which has the stemsupporting portion 8l The stem 88 has an enlarged annular ange 82against which a friction washer 83 has abutting engagement, and betweenthis friction washer 83 and the end of the control stem I position theradial wall of the dial 18, the hand wheel or dial ring 19 and a secondfriction washer 84, and a screw 85 is threaded into the stem 88 andclamps the dial and dial ring rigidly to the shoulder 82, it beingunderstood that the dial may be turned with respect to the stem 83 toadjust for discrepancies by loosening the screw, turning the dial withrespect to the stem and then tightening the screw to bind the dialfirmly and rigidly in set position.

The housing or bracket 86 is preferably cast of aluminum, brass or somesuitable alloy. The portion 8| of this bracket is threaded for threadedengagement with the threaded stem 88, and the bracket has a cut-awayportion 81 permitting access to the reduced portion S8 of the stem 88.This reduced portion 88 of the stem 80 engages in the slot 69 in theadjacent end of the pivoted lever 90. The housing 86 has projecting lugsSI and a fulcrum or rocker pin 92 for the lever 9i) extends betweenthese lugs and is secured at its opposite ends therein. Rotation of dialwheel 18 rotates stem 80 which causes longitudinal movement of theslotted end 89 of the lever 90, and this forces the opposite end 93 ofthe lever 9|! to move in the reverse direction. Rotation of stem islimited by means of a stop pin 95 secured in the projecting flange 94 ofthe housing 86 and having stopping cooperation with a pin 96 projectingradially from the inner periphery of the dial 18.

The integral leg 91 of the housing 86 projects through the opening 'l5in the oven wall 4|', and this leg 91 is tubular and has mountedreciprocably therein a pin or plunger member 99. The inner end of theleg 91 is threaded to receive a nut 98 which secures the tubular leg 91in the sleeve portion |02 of the control housing similar to the previousembodiment. The housing 86 has the recessed portion |03 which is adaptedto receive the upper end 93 of the lever 95%. The plunger 99 issupported in the tubular leg 97 by means of a guide member |04positioned in the end thereof. The other end of the plunger member 99has a reduced portion E65 engaging in a slot in the upper end ci thelever 9G as shown. The outer end |126 of the plunger 9'! is slidablysupported in the housing 86.

The reduced inner end Il of the plunger member 99 engages in an aperturein the bi-metallic strip |08 corresponding with the bi-metallic strip ofthe previous embodiment. Ears l formed integral with the bracket part|02 support the opposite ends of a fulcrum or rocker pin l) for thebi-metallic element |68 as in the previous embodiment, and the oppositeend or" this bimetallic element has cooperation with the controlmechanism.

A virtue of the device of the present invention resides in the universalcharacter of its construction. As shown, for example, in Figure 2 a lockpin |25 inserted into registeringr apertures in the bracket 32 andbracket 46 locks the bracket member 46 against turning movement on theboss 38 of the bracket member 32. In Figure l the oven is shown at theright hand side of the top burners and the bracket members 32 and 46 arelocked together for use with such an oven arrangement. Where the oven isat the left hand side of the top burners, the lock pin |25 may bewithdrawn, the bracket 32 rotated through degrees with respect to thebracket 46 and the lock pin |25 inserted through an aperture |26 in thebracket 32 and into the aperture in the bracket 46 in cooperation withwhich it is shown in Figure 2. This enables applying the thermalsensitive device to an oven wall at the left hand side of the topburners and positions the selecting mechanism 'forwardly adjacent thecontrol panel. The dial |5 may be replaced With another dial suitablefor use in this position, or the temperature markings |5a on the dial i5may be so arranged that they will be suitable in either position of thedial. Obviously, the adjustable character of the device is not limitedto swinging movement of the bracket 32 thru 180 degrees With respect tothe bracket 46, but other amounts of angular movement and a plurality ofdiierent angular positions of these members are contemplated within thescope of the present invention.

I do not intend to be limited to the precise details shown or described.

I claim:

l. The combination with a gas range having a front control panel and anoven provided with a side wall, of a heat regulator comprising a thermalsensitive mechanism extending through the side wall of the oven, and aselecting device connected with said thermal sensitive mechanism andincluding a selecting dial disposed with its axis of rotation generallyparallel to said front panel, said thermal sensitive mechanism beingdisposed in a plane generally normal to the axis of rotation of saidselecting dial.

2. The combination with a gas range having a front control panel and anoven provided with a side wall and an inner lining wall, said panelhaving an openingi of a heat regulator comprising a thermal sensitivemechanism extending through the side wall of the oven and disposedbetween said wall and said lining wall, and a selecting device connectedWith said thermal sensitive mechanism and including a selecting dialdisposed with its greater portion concealed behind said panel, said dialhaving a dial ring accessible through the opening in said panel.

3. In combination, a planar thermal sensitive l device pivotedintermediate its ends, a plunger cooperable therewith and extendingnormal thereto, a selecting stem disposed with its axis generallyparallel the axis of said plunger and oiset with respect thereto, and alever fulcrumed between said plunger and said stem and cooperating Withthe plunger on one side of said fulcrum and with the stem on theopposite side of said fulcrum.

4. In combination, a thermal sensitive device pivoted intermediate itsends, a plunger cooperable with one end thereof, a selecting stemdisposed with its axis generally parallel the axis of said plunger andoffset with respect thereto,

a lever fulcrumed between said plunger and said stem and cooperatingwith the plunger on one side of said fulcrum and with the stern on theopposite side of said fulcrum, a dial for said stem, a peripheral ngerpiece for said dial, and a control device connected with the oppositeend of said thermal sensitive device.

5. In combination, a bracket, a selecting device thereon, a housingswingably attached to said bracket, means for locking said housingagainst swinging movement with respect to said bracket, a control deviceon said housing, a thermal sensitive device forming a regulatingconnection between said selecting device and said control device, saidconnection including a plunger cooperable with the thermal sensitivedevice, and the selecting device having a dial disposed with its axisgenerally parallel to said plunger and oiiset with respect thereto.

6. In an oven, a control device comprising a control dial, a controlstem cooperating with said dial, a pivoted lever associated with one endof said control stem and extending at right angles thereto, a plungerengaging the other end of said lever, a valve and cooperating valvestem, actuating means for said valve stem adapted to cooperate with saidplunger including a second pivoted lever whereby rotation of saidcontrol dial actuates said valve.

7. In an oven, a control device comprising a control dial, a controlstem cooperating with said dial, a pivoted lever associated with one endof said control stem and extending at right angles thereto, a plungerengaging the other end of said lever, a valve, a valve stem, actuatingmeans comprising a pivoted thermally sensitive element for said valvestem adapted to cooperate with said plunger whereby rotation of saidcontrol dial actuates said valve.

8. In combination, an oven having a side wall, a lining wall spacedinwardly from said side wall and having a recess therein, regulatingmechanism for said oven comprising a rotatable selecting device disposedexterior to said side wall, a control device beneath said selectingdevice, and a thermally sensitive member disposed in said recess andtransmitting movement of said selecting device to said control device, apanel for said oven extending normally with respect to said side walland having a cut-out portion, and dial means extending partially throughsaid cutout portion and rotatable in a plane normal to said panel foroperating said selecting device.

9. In combination, a heat regulator comprising a control device having avalve stem therein, thermally sensitive means having abuttingengagementat one end with said valve stem, a selecting device having its axis ofrotation normal to the plane of said thermally sensitive means, andmotion transmitting means extending between said selecting device andthe opposite end of said thermally sensitive means including a leverpivoted intermediate its ends and lying in a plane parallel to saidthermally sensitive means, said selecting device being rotatable as aunit about said opposite end of said thermally sensitive means.

10. In combination, a selecting device having a threaded selectingspindle, a slidable plunger laterally offset from and extending parallelthereto, a housing having extending offset boss portions receiving saidspindle and said plunger, respectively, a planar lever member pivotedintermediate its ends and disposed between the ends of said spindle andplunger, said lever extending normal to the axes of said spindle andplunger, and pivotally mounted thermally sensitive means engaging thefree end of said plunger.

ll. In a device of the class described, a housing having an offsetcollar portion, a second housing having a projecting boss portionsecured in said collar portion, a valve and valve stem in said rsthousing, a pivotally mounted thermally sensitive member having one endengaged by said valve stem, a plunger slidable in said boss portion andengaging the opposite end of said thermally sensitive member, aselecting device carried by said second housing and including a spindleextending parallel to said plunger, motion transmitting means betweensaid spindle and said plunger for transmitting axial movement of saidspindle in one direction into axial movement of said plunger in thereverse direction, and pin means for fixing the radial position of saidsecond housing with respect to said first housing.

l2. In a cabinet type of gas range having an oven, a plurality of opentop burners at one side of and adjacent the top of said range, and ahinged cover for said burners adapted, when closed, to lie in the planeof the top of said oven, the combination of a control panel for saidopen top burners mounted at the front of said range adjacent the topthereof and having a cut-out portion, control valves for each of saidburners and for said oven carried by said panel, a heat regulatormechanism mounted on the side Wall of said oven beneath said hingedcover and behind said panel, and means for operating 'said regulatormechanism having a portion thereof extending through said cut-outportion of said panel.

13. In combination, a housing, selecting means including a selectingspindle supported thereby, a planar lever pivoted intermediate its endson said housing and engaged at one end by said spindle, a plungercarried by said housing and engaged at one end by the opposite end ofsaid lever, said plunger being laterally offset from and extendingparallel to said spindle, a second housing having control means therein,a thermally sensitive member pivoted intermediate its ends on saidsecond housing and having one end engaged by said control means, saidplunger having engagement at its other end with the opposite end of saidmember, and spring means for preventing any lost motion connectionbetween said selecting means and said control means.

14. In combination, a thermal sensitive member, means having selectingcooperation with one end of said member and having abutting engagementtherewith, selecting dial means disposed with its axis generallyparallel to the axis of said last-named means and offset with respectthereto, me-ans interconnecting said selecting means and said dial meansfor conjoint axial movement, and a control device suspended below saidthermal sensitive member and having abutting engagement with theopposite end thereof.

15. In combination, a thermal sensitive member, an element extendingnormal thereto and having selecting cooperation therewith, a selectingdevice disposed with its axis generally parallel to the axis of saidelement and offset with respect thereto, linkage means for transmittingaxial movement of said selecting device to said element, and meansincluding a housing supporting said selecting device and having arotatable bearing portion surrounding said element for adjusting theposition of the selecting device about the axis of the element.

16. In combination, control means, selecting means, a pair of leverspivoted intermediate their ends and engaging said control means and saidselecting means at the opposite ends thereof, and a plunger between saidlevers engaged by the adjacent ends thereof, said plunger being offsetfrom and extending parallel to the axis of said selecting means.

17. In combination, a plunger adapted for reciprocatory movement, a pairof levers at opposite ends of said plunger and extending normallythereto, selecting means engaging the opposite end of one of saidlevers, control means engaged by the opposite end of the other of saidlevers, and means for varying the angular relation between said leversabout the axis of said plunger.

18. The combination with a gas range having a front control panel and anoven provided with a side wall, said panel having an openingtherethrough, of a heat regulator comprising a planar thermallysensitive element disposed in a recess in the side wall of the oven, anda selecting device connected with said thermally sensitive element andincluding a selecting dial disposed in a plane parallel to the plane ofsaid thermally sensitive element with its greater portion concealedbehind said panel and with a portion of the outer surface of said dialvisible through the opening in said panel, said dial being adapted formanipulation from the front of the panel.

WARREN W. SACKETT.

